Courses
POLI-111 American Government & Politics
. An introductory survey covering the major institutions and processes of American government and politics, with a focus on understanding current issues and events.
POLI-121 Comparative Government and Politics
Surveys the political systems, ideologies andsocio-economic policies and issues in variouscountries and regions of the world.
POLI-131 World Affairs
Examines state behavior in the internationalsystem in light of countries' abilities and limitations. Causes of state action, leaders'decision making, and the role of power are discussed. Explores why states go to war, the roleof the United Nations, the benefits and costs of free trade, and the effects of the environmental and human rights movements. Case studies and current events will be used to illustrate theoriesand provide a framework for discussion.
POLI-202 Topics in Government and Politics
Examines selected topics or problems in American government or comparative government, international politics, or political thought. May be repeated for credit if topic is different.
POLI-205 Research Process & Data Analysis
Introduces students to the social science researchprocess and common techniques of quantitative dataanalysis. Topics include statistical, comparative and experimental research methodologies,univariate and multivariate statistics, and hypothesis testing. Requirements include using a computer-based statistical program to complete an empirical research project. Course prepares students for careers involving research in government, business, and non-profit sectors.
POLI-210 Film and Politics
Course examines the treatment of politics in American cinema. Topics may include politicalcorruption, courts and the law, war, race andpolitics, and elections. Possible themes include political and legal culture, political legitimacy,film as political criticism and film as a source of political knowledge. Course also examines film techniques and characteristics of film as contrasted with other forms of media.
POLI-211 Women and U.S. Politics
An introductory examination of the role of women in the U.S. political system. The course includes a theoretical and historical view of thedevelopment of women's political activity in the United States, as well as a contemporary look at women as activists, voters, and candidates. Current issues are incorporated as appropriate.
POLI-215 Law and Politics
Examines the law and the legal system in the United States, assessing the possibilities and limitations of the law. Studies the politicalbasis of the law and critiques of the American legal system. Discusses the major players in the legal system, including lawyers, judges, and juries. Course culminates with a mock trial.
POLI-216 State and Local Government and Politics
Study and analysis of state and local government in the U.S. political system. Examines the influence of intergovernmental relations on these political systems and the "how, why, and so what" of governmental operation. Comparative look taken at the different ways state and local governments operate in 50 states and thousands of local governments, with an emphasis on the role of Pennsylvania and other states of particular interest to students. Contemporary policy issues are incorporated.
POLI-222 Politics of Developing Nations
A comparative survey of the political and economicissues facing the developing nations of Asia,Africa, Latin America the Middle East, and the transitional states in Eastern Europe. Emphasizes problems of political and economic development, nation building and the transition to democracy. Considers the role of elites, parties, corruption,the military, integration and competing ideologies.
POLI-224 Government and Politics of Europe
Comparative study of contemporary government,politics, problems and policies in Europe, with a special focus on Western Europe, though some attention is given to countries in Central and Eastern Europe.
POLI-225 Government and Politics of Africa
Examines regional, national and internationalpolitics in post-colonial Africa. Themes include the impact of the colonial legacy on political andeconomic development in Africa, regime change and ethnic conflicts. Case studies will be used to illustrate the wide-ranging political and economicchallenges facing African nation-states.
POLI-226 Soviet and Russian Politics
Looks at Russian and Soviet politics and foreign policy. The Soviet Union is examined, with particular emphasis on the policies of Gorbachev and the 1991 disintegration of the USSR. The post-Soviet period is also studied, especially thechallenges of democratization and of moving towarda market economy. While primary attention is paid to the situation in Russia, issues in the other former Soviet republics and Eastern Europe will also be discussed.
POLI-228 Middle East Politics and Society
This course examines the ways in which politics and society in the Middle East are shaped by historical and contemporary structures, processes,and practices. The geographic and temporal focus of the course includes the Arab world, Iran, Turkey, and Israel during the past century and a half, from the reforms of the late Ottoman Empire,through the years of European colonalism, to the emergence of post-colonial states and their contemporary development.
POLI-244 Political Values
An introduction to arguments about fundamental value conflicts, such as freedom vs. authority, equality vs. inequality, and conflict vs. cooperation. Draws on arguments of selected major thinkers and issues in political thought fromPlato to the present.
POLI-245 American Political Ideas
An introduction to selected major ideas, issues, and perspectives in contemporary American political thought and practice.
POLI-310 Political Psychology
Examines the political thinking and politicalactions of American citizens, with a special focuson citizens' roles and responsibilities in a democratic political system. Theories and findingsfrom political science and social psychology are used to explore topics including public opinion, voting, judicial behavior, and the thinking and actions of political leaders.
POLI-312 Elections in America
The "hows" and "whys" of presidential and congressional elections in the United States,emphasizing candidates, campaigns, and political strategies. Also discusses parties and interest groups and their roles in the political process. Special focus on the flaws in the American electoral system, and on possible solutions to these problems.
POLI-314 Diversity in American Politics
Studies the many shapes of diversity found in the United States and how this diversity impacts the American political system. Analyzes how different groups have been denied or granted access to the political system and the success or failure of these groups in affecting the political system as voters, candidates and office holders, and inbringing new principles, values, and practices into American politics. The theoretical challengespresented by the general concept of diversity willalso be examined.
POLI-316 The American Presidency
An exploration of the power of the American presidency as it has developed over time. Studies presidential authority, the limitations on presidential power, and the presidency's impact onpublic policy in the United States. Explores the interplay between individual presidents and the institution of the presidency. Topics coveredinclude the presidential selection process; the relationship between the President and the Congress, "the Bureaucracy," and the courts.
POLI-317 The U. S. Congress
Examines the U.S. Congress as an institution, itsrelation to the public and to other branches of government, and its impact on public policy. Topics include congressional elections, internal workings of the House and Senate, and comparison of Congress with other national legislatures.
POLI-318 Public Policy
Uses current political issues to examine American public policy and the American public policy process, with emphasis on political institutions and the politics of public policymaking. Issues examined may include crime, welfare, foreign affairs, and other areas of special concern which might arise.
POLI-321 European Union
Examines the post-World War II development, institutional structure, and policies of the European Union and its predecessors in the movement toward European integration.
POLI-322 The Arab World and the West
This course explores a number of different themes and frameworks addressing the relationship betweenthe Arab world and the West. Although ahistorical perspective is given to shed light on the diverse encounters, transformations, and changes in this relationship, the main focus will be on contemporary trends, phenomena, and perspectives. Going beyond traditional frameworksstressing tension and conflict (i.e. Orientalism, nationalism, and Islamism), the readings will alsointroduce analytical frameworks, which stresscultural exchange, entanglement, and dialogue.
POLI-331 American Foreign Policy
Studies the formation and implementation of U.S. foreign policy. Focuses on both the role of the U.S. in the post-WW II era and current foreign andsecurity policy issues.
POLI-333 Development, Globalization and Society
A study of the relationship between economic development paradigms, institutions and groups in society. It focuses on the international economic relationships, world order and the resultant social and political conflict. More specifically, this course examines how global economicdevelopment policy since the 1960s has influenced relations between states, major institutions,organizations and social groupings in both the developed and the developing world.
POLI-334 International Organizations and Law
A study of the ways of managing the issues that arise from increasing interdependence among nation-states. It explores the consequences of thegrowth of international organizations and theproliferation of treaties in areas of security; economics; the environment; and political, social,and human rights. Primary attention is devoted to international governmental organizations, especially the United Nations and the World Court,but international non-governmental organizations (e.g. Amnesty International and Greenpeace) are also considered.
POLI-335 War and Politics
Analyzes issues of war and conflict in the international system, largely from a theoretical perspective. Students will examine the questions of why states go to war, how wars can beprevented, how states fight wars, and how wars end. Case studies of wars, including World War II and the Gulf War, will be studied. Arms control, terrorism, and peacekeeping are also discussed.
POLI-338 International Political Economy
Examines issues of political interaction witheconomic forces at the national, international andglobal levels. Topics studied include: economic systems, international trade and finance, theEuropean Union, NAFTA, CAFTA, OPEC, multinational corporations, economic development, poverty, inequality and global environmental issues.
POLI-341 American Political Thought
Examines writings of representative politicalthinkers and movements from colonial through contemporary America. Stresses debates over relevant issues, such as religious freedom, the constitutional system, civil rights for minoritiesand women, and the role of government in the economy.
POLI-344 Modern Political Ideologies
Covers the major political ideologies of the 20th century. Focuses on Communism, Fascism, and Democratic Liberalism and Conservatism, with attention to other selected ideologies, including environmentalism, feminism, liberation ideologies,and radical Islam.
POLI-410 U. S. Political Problems
Examines some of the most significant problems in contemporary American politics and illustrates howthese problems result from a combination of human actions and larger political and societal structures. Problem areas include citizen competence, the media, interest groups, and international situations encountered by the UnitedStates.
POLI-411 Governmental Power & the Constitution
Examines the U.S. Supreme Court with an emphasis on its major decisions in questions of judicial review, federalism, separation of powers, interstate commerce, state police powers and substantive due process. Emphasizes the Court's political role and judicial decision making. Juniors and seniors only.
POLI-412 Civil Rights and the Constitution
Examines significant Supreme Court decisions concerning the protection of liberty and equality.Topics covered include freedom of speech and press, church-state relations, right to privacy, criminal procedure, and racial and gender discrimination. Juniors and seniors only.
POLI-415 Development of American Legal Culture
Examines legal system development from America's English roots to the present. Interdisciplinary seminar featuring readings, discussion and research. Focuses on interrelationships between the law and social, political, historical, and economic values. Juniors and seniors only.
POLI-436 Issues of Conflict
An in-depth analysis of an international issue such as terrorism, ethnic conflict, weapons of mass destruction, or peacekeeping and peacemaking.
POLI-443 Western Political Philosophy
Studies the ideas of the major politicalphilosophers, including Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Mill, Hegel,and Marx. Juniors and seniors only or byinstructor's permission.
POLI-500 Seminar
Detailed research and in-depth discussion on a selected topic. Juniors and seniors only by instructor's permission.
